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Black Mesa Trust inc

Kykotsmovi Village, AZ · EIN 860985865 · Form 990EZ · FY2022 · NTEE C32 · Environment · Small ($100K-$1M) · www.blackmesatrust.org
revenue
$128K
expenses
$156K
net assets
$-9K
employees
—
mission · from form 990

Preserve land and Waters see sched O

profile · synthesized from sources

Black Mesa Trust is a grassroots Indigenous organization led by Hopi elders that works to protect sacred waters and cultural sites on the Colorado Plateau, particularly Sípàapu, a place of emergence central to Hopi cosmology. The organization advocates for the preservation of ancestral lands and water systems threatened by industrial extraction and climate change, emphasizing Indigenous knowledge and spiritual responsibility. It engages in public education, policy advocacy, and intertribal collaboration to defend religious freedom and ecological integrity.

named programs · 2 · from sources

what they call their work

Gathering of the Clans: Water Protectors – Defending What is Most Sacred
Annual public event bringing together Indigenous leaders, speakers, and cultural practitioners to strengthen intertribal solidarity in protecting sacred waters and ancestral sites
Save Sípàapu Campaign
Advocacy initiative to designate Sípàapu as a Traditional Cultural Place and protect it from water depletion and industrial development through legal petitions and public awareness
activities · 9 clusters

what they do

  • Land & Water Conservation Advocacy 4 activities
    • Advocacy for Hopi Land and Water Protection
      Works to safeguard, preserve, and honor the sacred land, culture, and water of the Hopi People, including the Grand Canyon and the Little Colorado Basin, and challenges harmful mining practices.
    • Advocacy for the protection of Hopi land, water, and sacred sites
      Advocates to safeguard, preserve, and honor the sacred land, culture, and water of the Hopi People, including the Grand Canyon, the Little Colorado Basin, and specific sacred sites like Sípàapu, through legal challenges, public awareness campaigns, and engagement with government officials.
    • Advocacy for the protection of Hopi land, water, and sacred sites
      Advocates to safeguard, preserve, and honor the sacred land, culture, and water of the Hopi People, including the Grand Canyon, Little Colorado Basin, and Sípàapu, by challenging mining leases, opposing development projects, and seeking protected status for cultural sites.
    • Advocacy for the protection of sacred Hopi sites and cultural heritage
      Advocates for the designation of Sípàapu as a Traditional Hopi Cultural Protected Area, opposes development projects like the Grand Canyon Escalante Resort, and organizes events and campaigns to defend sacred sites including Sipaapu and the Little Colorado Basin.
  • Heating Support for Elders 4 activities
    • Providing wood for heating to Hopi and Tewa families
      Organizes volunteers to thin Ponderosa pine and fundraises to provide stove-ready wood to Hopi and Tewa families and elders for heating their homes.
    • Provision of stove-ready wood for heating
      Organizes volunteer efforts to thin Ponderosa pine forests and harvest wood, which is then distributed to Hopi and Tewa families; supports Pikunivi Wood Haulers in delivering 183 loads of stove-ready wood to families and elders in need.
    • Provision of wood for heating to Hopi and Tewa families
      Organizes volunteers to thin Ponderosa pine and fundraises to provide stove-ready wood to Hopi and Tewa families and elders for heating their homes.
    • Wood Distribution for Heating
      Fundraises and organizes the distribution of stove-ready wood to Hopi and Tewa families, providing essential heating resources during winter months.
  • Member-Focused Digital & Print Archives 3 activities
    • Archiving H2OPI Tutuveni newsletters
      Maintains an archive library of H2OPI Tutuveni newsletters.
    • Archiving of H2OPI Tutuveni newsletters
      Maintains an archive library of H2OPI Tutuveni newsletters.
    • Maintenance of cultural and environmental archives
      Preserves historical and cultural materials through an archive library of H2OPI Tutuveni newsletters, documenting ongoing advocacy and community efforts.
  • Youth-Led Environmental Stewardship Projects 3 activities
    • Developing educational programs for land and water stewardship
      Implements advocacy initiatives and develops formal educational programs to prepare children for leadership in land and water stewardship.
    • Educational program development for land and water stewardship
      Develops formal educational programs to prepare children for leadership in land and water stewardship.
    • Leadership and educational programming for youth
      Develops formal educational programs to prepare children for leadership roles in land and water stewardship, promoting intergenerational cultural continuity.
  • Indigenous Storytelling & Media Production 3 activities
    • Documentary film production and distribution
      Raises funds to complete the documentary film "MAIZE" and make it available to schools and universities for free.
    • Documentary film production and distribution for education
      Raises funds to complete and distribute the documentary film "MAIZE" by Victor Masayesva, Jr. to schools and universities at no cost, supporting cultural and environmental education.
    • Producing and distributing educational documentary films
      Raises funds to complete and make available the documentary film "MAIZE" to schools and universities for free.
  • Opposition to Industrial Resource Extraction 1 activity
    • Legal Challenges Against Mining Practices
      Opposes harmful mining practices through legal challenges, including the extension of coal mining leases and advocating for compliance with environmental regulations.
  • Volunteer-Based Habitat Monitoring & Stewardship 1 activity
    • Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Building
      Seeks volunteers to support various initiatives including outreach, fundraising, and event planning, while also implementing educational programs for leadership in land and water stewardship.
  • General Volunteer Support Services 1 activity
    • Volunteer engagement and organizational support
      Recruits volunteers to assist with outreach, fundraising, social media, legal support, event planning, videography, and sponsorship activities to advance organizational goals.
  • Uncategorized 3 activities
    • Community Events for Awareness
      Organizes events such as the "Gathering of the Clans" to raise awareness and defend sacred sites, land, and water, specifically focusing on Sipaapu and other culturally significant areas.
    • Legal and regulatory advocacy to protect Hopi water and land
      Challenges water studies and mining activities impacting the Navajo Aquifer, opposes coal mining lease extensions through federal legal action, and engages with federal agencies such as OSMRE to enforce trust responsibilities in mine reclamation.
    • Public awareness and coalition-building events
      Organizes events such as the "Gathering of the Clans Water Protectors" and the Hopi Clan Run to raise awareness about the protection of rural water, groundwater, and sacred Hopi cultural sites, and to build broader support for water and land stewardship.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2022

the money

revenue
Total revenue$128K
Contributions & grants$128K100%
Program service revenue——
Investment income——
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$156K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$51K
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$65K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$-9K
2 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue +26.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022

who runs it

board members · 5
  • Ed Kabotie — Trustee
  • Leon Nuvayestawa — Trustee
  • Marilyn Tewa — director
  • Melvin George — Director
  • Sheilah Nicholas — Trustee
relationships · 31

who they work with

  • Apache Strong Hold Partner — Wendsler Nosie, Sr. or Naelyn Pike from San Carlos Tribe were guest speakers at "Gathering of the Clans" event.
  • Apache Strong Hold Partner — Wendsler Nosie, Sr. or Naelyn Pike represented Apache Strong Hold (San Carlos Tribe) at the "Gathering of the Clans" event.
  • Arizona State House of Representatives Government — Myron Tsosie, District 7, was a guest speaker at the "Gathering of the Clans" event.
  • Chizh for Cheii Partner — Assisted Pikunivi Wood Haulers in providing wood to families.
  • Citizens Coal Council Partner — Executive Director Vernon Masayesva met with Interior Secretary Sally Jewell alongside the Citizens Coal Council to discuss coal mining regulation.
  • Earth Island Institute Partner — Project Director Toby McLeod of Earth Island Institute’s Sacred Land Film Project is listed as a member of the Circle of Advisors
  • Facebook Partner — Social media platform used for outreach and engagement
  • Flagstaff Ranger District Partner — Works with the Flagstaff Ranger District to thin Ponderosa pine for wood harvesting.
  • H2OPI Partner — Collaborates on the production and distribution of the Tutuveni newsletter
  • Havasupai Tribe Partner — Carletta Tilousi represented the Havasupai Tribe at the "Gathering of the Clans" event.
  • Havasupai Tribe Partner — Carletta Tilousi was a guest speaker at "Gathering of the Clans" event.
  • Hopi Tribal Council Partner — Opposes the Grand Canyon Escalante Resort project alongside the Hopi Tribal Council.
  • International Committee On Monuments and Sites International Science Committee (ICOMOS ISC) Partner — Met with Black Mesa Trust to recognize Sípàapu as an important cultural place and award it the ICOMOS ISC Water and Heritage Shield.
  • National Resource Defense Council Partner — Allied with Black Mesa Trust in challenging water studies related to mining impacts on the Navajo Aquifer.
  • Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) Government — Wrote to the director of OSMRE’s Western Region to request compliance with trust responsibilities regarding mine reclamation.
  • Peabody Energy Company Partner — Opposing the company's coal strip-mining operations and lease extension
  • Peabody Western Coal Partner — Opposing the company's coal strip-mining operations and lease extension
  • Pikunivi Wood Haulers Partner — Supported their efforts to provide "stove-ready" wood to Hopi families and elders.
  • Red Feather Partner — Assisted Pikunivi Wood Haulers in providing wood to families.
  • Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Partner — Martin Harvier, President, was a guest speaker at "Gathering of the Clans" event.
  • Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Partner — Martin Harvier, President, was a guest speaker at the "Gathering of the Clans" event.
  • Sierra Club Partner — Collaborated on advocacy efforts, including a Navajo ride for the protection of Black Mesa.
  • The Hopi Foundation Partner — Kyle Nutumya of The Hopi Foundation is listed as a member of the Circle of Advisors
  • The Love Planet Foundation Partner — Sandy Fox and Lex Lang of The Love Planet Foundation are listed as members of the Circle of Advisors
  • Twitter Partner — Social media platform used for outreach and engagement
  • U.S. Secretary of Interior Government — Opposing the Secretary's approval of a mining lease extension
  • Western Organization of Resource Councils Partner — Director Patrick Sweeney participated in a meeting with Interior Secretary Sally Jewell alongside Black Mesa Trust's Executive Director.
  • YouTube Partner — Platform used for sharing video content
  • Zuni Tribe Partner — Carlton Albert represented the Zuni Tribe at the "Gathering of the Clans" event.
  • Zuni Tribe Partner — Carlton Albert was a guest speaker at "Gathering of the Clans" event.
+ 1 more